This opal from Ethiopia is Volcanic origin. It is formed in a nodule. Only a very small percentage of the collected opal has a good fire and an attractive play of colors. This opal is loved by many polishers, carvers and specimen collectors world wide for its amazing fire play.

This material has been nicknamed “chocolate opal” due to the dark brown base. Because of the dark body color, Red, green, blue and orange fire seem to well up within the stone, rather than flash out.

Ethiopia Chocolate and Crystal Shewa Province Nodule Opals are found at Yita Ridge, in the Menz Gishe District of Shewa Province. It is situated about 150 miles northeast of the capital of Ethiopia – Addis Ababa . The opal field extends for several square kilometers along the northern side of the Yita Ridge.

The opals are found in a nodular form within a continuous layer of welded volcanic ash. These nodules are quite numerous but the percentage of gem quality opal is quite small. About one sixth of the opal recovered has the gem quality and one in a hundred shows distinct play of color.

It should be noted that most of the nodules show internal fractures in this type of opal. But some nodules are cut so as to show no fractures at all. These cabochons are very precious. The most coveted of these nodules have center opal showing brilliant neon colors across the entire spectrum.